Creativity Ambassadors
Creativity Ambassadors are Oklahomans who have been selected for their national and international creative accomplishments and have agreed to serve as representative for the state of Oklahoma to further the goals of Creative Oklahoma. These individuals have agreed to share their ideas and expertise on how to best advance the state using new approaches that will change perceptions about Oklahoma both within and without our state. Their involvement will include public service announcements, performances, speaking engagements, and sharing of their knowledge in their respective fields. This group of Ambassadors is expected to grow to include many other recognized Oklahomans over time.
Chair: Bart Conner, Olympian, CEO, Perfect 10 Productions
Allan Vest
Composer, producer, and creative mind behind the orchestral pop band Starlight Mints
Ben May
Epcot Business Development Director at Walt Disney World
Benjamin Harjo, Jr. www.benjaminharjojr.com
Seminole-Shawnee and one of the nation’s leading American Indian artists, Awarded the 2009 Lifetime Achievement by NAASA
Byron Berline doublestop.com
is a three-time National Fiddle Champion. Byron is one of the most sought after session fiddlers and his long list of recording credits include; The Eagles / The Rolling Stones / Bob Dylan / Elton John / Rod Stewart / Vince Gill / Willie Nelson and many more.
Chad Burris
Movie producer, President of Oklahoma Territory Film Council and is director of Yuwita, a non-profit organization
David Boren
President, University of Oklahoma and Former Governor of Oklahoma & US Senator
Dayna Dunbar www.daynadunbar.com
Oklahoma Author and motivational speaker
Dick Lowry
Director, NYPD Blue, Crossing Jordan and directed and/or produced over 60 movies and miniseries for network and cable television, including several Hallmark Hall of Fame movies
Elvin Bishop www.elvinbishopmusic.com
Blues, rock and roll recording artist
Erik Logan
President of Harpo Productions and sits on the board of the Oprah Winfrey Network
Graham Colton grahamcolton.com
American pop singer-songwriter with his hit song “Best Days” has appeared on American Idol and Kyle XY.
Gray Frederickson
Oscar winning movie producer, The Godfather, Part II and Apocalypse Now
Hanson www.hanson.net
Three brothers, native of Tulsa launched their own independent record company in 2003, 3CG Records, millions of records sold, Their fifth studio album, Shout It Out, was released on June 8th 2010
Hunt Lowry
Film Producer, A Walk to Remember, Last of the Mohicans and A Time to Kill
Jerod Tate www.jerodtate.com
Composer and musician, recently debuted recording with the San Francisco Symphony
Jimmy Webb jimmywebb.com
Composer/musician, Chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Only artist to receive Grammy awards for music, lyrics, & orchestration
John Herrington www.rocketrek.com
Former NASA astronaut & US Naval Commander
First Native American in Space
Dr. Jordan Tang
Medical researcher, Discovered important key in Alzheimer’s disease research
Junie Lowry-Johnson
Six prime-time Emmy award-winning casting director, True Blood, Desperate Housewives, Big Love, NYPD Blue, and Prison Break
Kyle Dillingham kyle-web.com
The Ambassador in Residence for the University of Central Oklahoma, also the Ambassador for the Oklahoma City University and for the University’s Centre for Global Competency
Lee Cockerell www.leecockerell.com
Retired, former Executive Vice President of Operations Walt Disney World Resort, Currently on the Board of Trustees for the Culinary Institute of America
Leona Mitchell
Operatic Soprano, Grammy for role as Bess in Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess, London Records, and Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Inductee
Mat Hoffman mathoffman.com
Six-Time X Games medalist winner
ESPN Action Sports Lifetime Achievement Award 2002
Michael Wallis www.michaelwallis.com
Award-winning Reporter and Best-selling Author, Route 66: the Mother Road, Oil Man the Story of Frank Phillips & The Birth of Phillips Petroleum
Mike Wimmer www.mikewimmer.com
Illustrator and artist, 23 paintings of Oklahoma history at the Oklahoma State Capitol
Nadia Comaneci bartandnadia.com
Nine-time Olympic gold medalist winner,
International Gymnastics Hall of Fame
Sandi Patty sandipatty.com
Christian artist and Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee with 39 Dove Awards, five Grammy Awards
Sterlin Harjo
Film maker, Script writer & director
Goodnight Irene & Four Sheets to the Wind
Toby Keith www.tobykeith.com
Country Musician & Oklahoman of the Year 2004, Actor
Four AMA Awards, five Billboard music Awards, and two CMA Awards
Tom Stafford
NASA Astronaut, Commander of Apollo 10
Retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General
Wanda Jackson wandajackson.com
Country & Rock-a-billy musician
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, 2009
Wayne Coyne www.theflaminglips.com
Grammy Award winning rock musician, singer, guitarist, and songwriter for The Flaming Lips